Senators turn up pressure on Obama to approve Keystone pipeline

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Nov 16 A high-profile group of
senators - nine Democrats and nine Republicans - has urged
President Barack Obama to quickly issue a permit for the
northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that
environmental groups have vowed to fight.

The senators asked Obama to approve the pipeline because it
will reduce the need for oil imports from the Middle East, and
create jobs. They were led by Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat,
and John Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican, who both represent
the booming Bakken oil region.

Last year, Obama put a hold on the pipeline designed to
carry oil from Canada and the Bakken region, citing
environmental concerns with a portion of the route in Nebraska.
The TransCanada Corp project needs a presidential
permit because it would cross an international border.